Dr Anita Ratnam recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in the field of performing arts: Contemporary Dance in 2016

What does decolonialism mean for those who are engaged in Dance curriculum preparation, delivery and assessment? How does the subject of Dance Pedagogy meaningfully respond to the diverse opinions and paths already explored on this complex and charged topic? These are just some of the questions which the Keynote speaker, Lliane Loots will address. Multiple award winner for her choreographic works, Loots is also seasoned Dance Lecturer: Drama and Performance Studies Programme at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) , and current Artistic Director of Flatfoot Dance co. (in Durban). 

Other delegates from countries such as Brazil, India, Peru, Zimbabwe and Canada have expressed their enthusiasm and interest to enter this important dialogue. Their insights will be presented in a variety of performative formats including papers, workshops and performances. VIP guests include Dr Anita Ratnam, Chennai based dancer, choreographer, director of Arangham and the portal www.narthaki.com Renowned for her fearless philanthropy Ratnam is the most recent recipient of the prestigious Presidential award for Contemporary dance in 2016 in India.

UCT School of Dance director and Chair of Confluences 2017, Dr Gerard M. Samuel noted, “We are delighted to present extracts from Dr. Anita’s iconic A Million Sitas and to have her make the subject of global dance languages as a response to decolonial debates accessible. Contemporary Indian dance is so much more than Bollywood”.   

Confluences offers six workshops ranging from explorations of codification in African dance, mpantsula to Flamenco; applications of Contact Improvisation for high school learners, to new directions for contemporary dance in Africa. Delegates can expect innovative presentation formats including videolinks, films and an art exhibition, Dancing Alabaster. This features the work of celebrated Danish artist, Søs Brysch and an accompanying collection of poems written by Samuel following their earlier cultural exchange based in disability arts.  

Amy-Monique Coetzee and Lee Kotze students of the UCT School of Dance